“She was pulled one side out of the boat and I fell out on the other. When I came up from the water I saw the tour guides had grabbed her and pulled her towards another boat.

“The crocodile eventually let go.

“I got pulled to the side and I could see her lying on the floor of the boat.

“I could see her arm hanging off and I could see it was really serious.

“They were using towels to stem the blood.

“The helicopter with doctors arrived within five minutes – they were really quick. They took her to a hospital in Victoria Falls.

“The doctors put her to sleep to see how bad it was. Then they decided they needed an expert and she was taken to Bulawayo.

“The doctors said it was best to amputate. There wasn’t any choice really. Her arm was hanging off.”

He quipped: “We’re both outdoorsy but I’m not sure if we’ll be canoeing again.

“We have to think about that in the future.”

Tarwirwa Joelson, a cousin of the bride, said: “It was a wonderful wedding. She showed incredible bravery to go through with it. She was amazing, so strong and smiling throughout. It was an incredible day.

“My cousin is actually left-handed so as the crocodile took her right arm she will be able to play tennis again.”

Jamie put a ring on her left hand, which is also partially bandaged, and Zanele managed to sign the marriage certificate. And, when the groom kissed the bride, they looked just like any other newlyweds.

Crocodiles were the biggest animal killers in Zimbabwe last year with 21 people suffering fatal attacks.